Events Financial Operations Specialist

The Events Financial Operations Specialist manages the financial operations of the Advancement Events team, including a $1M+ annual budget. This role develops annual and long-range expenditure forecasts; monitors and analyzes budget performance; reconciles financial activity; ensures accurate transaction coding and documentation; and develops financial reporting and analysis to support planning and decision-making. The position maintains a strong working knowledge of University financial policies, protocols, and systems, and provides guidance to colleagues and divisional partners with varying levels of financial expertise.

This role serves as a key liaison between Advancement Events, external vendors, and University business partners regarding event contracts and purchasing processes. This position facilitates contract review and approval, identifies and resolves issues, coordinates vendor communication, and proactively works with stakeholders to reduce processing delays and support successful event execution.

This role also contributes to creating and implementing documentation to support and improve the Advancement Events team’s project management systems and operational workflows. This includes evaluating business processes; developing tools, templates, and resources; training and coaching team members; and recommending improvements that increase efficiency.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a related field such as fundraising, banking, nonprofits, or customer service.
• Minimum two years’ experience in finance and budget tracking experience preferred.
• Some project management experience preferred.
• Experience in a higher education or non-profit setting preferred.

Job Competencies

• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate, and support strategic plans that support the activities of the program and contribute to the overall goals and objectives of Advancement and the fundraising enterprise.
• Experience with data management, including data collection, entry, and accurate maintenance, with output and usage in mind. 
• Customer service experience with a strong service-minded philosophy. Excellent relationship-building skills, along with a high level of tact, discretion, and diplomacy, are required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to successfully interact with diverse groups.
• Expertise in Microsoft and Google platforms, especially Google Calendar and email, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Proficient with audio/visual and presentation platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams or WebEx, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Ability to work independently with strong project/time management skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to apply tact and maintain confidentiality. 
• Must be able and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends.

The designated Position Work Location for each position determines the approved modality of work. Positions are classified based on the operational and business needs of the department and may be designated as on-site, hybrid, or remote.

Employees with a designated position work location as remote must reside and perform their work in a state where Brown University is registered to do business. Brown University is a registered employer in the following states: Rhode Island, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington, D.C.

Please note that to be considered for a staff position at Brown University, you must submit a separate application for each position you wish to be considered for. Applications are reviewed only for the specific position to which they are submitted and are not automatically considered for future openings.  

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

If you have any questions you may contact employment@brown.edu.

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.